Pumping apparatus



`une 28, i949, J. MANN 2,474,53@

PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1944 6 Shee'ts-Shge; l

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' June 28, 194%. I J. MANN 2,474,53@ l PUMPING APPARATUS 6 Sheetsd-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 25, 1.944

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J. MANN PUIPING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 25, l

Jun@ 289 w49, MANN I 29474539 I PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1944 l 1 s ,shame-sheet ,4

.Fume 28 hg J. MANN AM@ PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1944 s sheets-she@ 5 INVENroA Jon Jznn Patented June 28, 1949 PUMPING APPARATUS J oh'n Mann, Seneca Falls, N. Y., assignor -to Goulds Pumps, Inc., Seneca Falls, N. Y., a oor. poration of New York Application February 25, 1944, Serial No. 523,927

35 Claims. 1

(ci. 10a-5) Another object of my invention 1s to provide a water system which, depending upon conditions under which the system is to operate, may readily be converted to a straight self -priming centrifugal pump, a shallow well pumping system of the jet type or a deep well water system of the jet type.

Another object of my invention is to provide a jet-centrifugal pumping system in which the centrifugal pump is mounted in anair separating chamber, with the base for the air separating chamber and the centrifugal pump serving as a housing for the jet pump when the system is used as a shallow well pump.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved means for supplying the system with air so that the system may be maintained under -pneumatic pressure.

A further object of my invention is to provide a water system in which the centrifugal pump is housed within an air separating chamber, and means are provided within the air separating chamber for supplying air to the air separating chamber without passing through the centrifugal DdmD- My invention further contemplates the pro- Visionv of a water system comprising a self-contained unit employing a centrifugal pump, a jet pump, and an air separating chamber which encloses the centrifugal pump, with the system being arranged so that it can be used either with or without the conventional pneumatic storage tank, depending upon the conditions of operation encountered.

Other objects and advantages of my ,invention i will be apparent from the following description,

when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which.:

Fig. 1 is aver-tical sectional view showing the system of my invention arranged for shallow well operation, in which the path of iiow of the liquid, has been indicated by arrows;

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showing the air pump for supplying air to the air separating chamber;

Fig. 3 is a side View of the unit shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the air pump and the connections thereto with the air pump parts in the position they occupy when the centrifugal pump is operating;

Fig. 5 'is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the position of the air pump parts when the centrifugal pump is at rest;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the base of the unit with the system arranged for shallow well operation and with the liquid flow indicated by arrows;

Fig. 7 is a view similarto Fig. 6 with the system arranged for deep well operation and with the liquid flowindicated by arrows:

Fig. 8 is av sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing the system arranged for deep well operation, the arrows indicating `the liquid ilow,and

Fig. 9 shows the unit as it is arranged when employed'with a conventional pneumatic storage vtion applies, water drawn from the tank.

In Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, I have shown the liquid pumping apparatus or water system of my invention arranged for shallow well operation. The unit comprises, as shown in Fig, 1, a centrifugal pump generally indicated by the numeral Il; a motor I2 for driving the pump directly connected thereto; an air separating chamber I3 in which the centrifugal pump is mounted; a base Il for supporting the pump, motor, and air separating chamber; 4and a jet pump generally indicated by the numeral i6, mounted in the base.

As is well known in the art to which this invenwell or other through the jet pump to the suction of the centrifugal pump. It is then discharged by the centrifugal pump into the air separating chamber from which a portion flows to the point of use while the remainder is recirculated through the jet pump to provide energy to aid in lifting ,water from the we The base of the unit, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 6, is preferably a single casting and' houses the jet pump Ii and other elements of the system. A suction -pipe l1 is threaded into either of two oppositely disposed openings il provided in the base casting. The two openings constitutemeans whereby thesuction pipe may be connected to either side of the unit so as to enable a convenient arrangement of the piping, depending upon the location of the unit.

The opening not attached is closed by a plug I9. A substantially tubular compartment 2| is provided in the base casting for lhousing' a strainer 22 through which the liquid flows. The strainer removes larger particles of foreign material which may source of supply passes be drawn into the suction pipe. From the coml l to which -the suction pipe is screws ZSac'ce'ss may be' had to thevalve. The

cover plate 26 has a bored boss 3| vwhich connues the spring and provides a guide for a valve stem 32 which is secured in any suitable manner to.,

the valve plate 26. The valve plate 26, in general, may be of Iany suitable 4construction but z preferably comprises a rubber or somewhat resilient disc which is provided with a metal backing plate.

Y The valve spring is preferably relatively light so that no great force is required to lift it oi its seat. This force is supplied by lthe reduced pressure produced by the combined action of the jet pump and the centrifugal pump on the upper side of the valve, together with the pressure on the under side of the valve resulting from the pressure of air applied on the surface of the liquid in the well or other source of supply. At the same time the spring should be suciently stii so that it will Aaid in holding 'the valve rmly on its seat vand prevent leakage of liquid back through the system into the well when the pump is stopped. Moreover, the spring should be capable of holding the valve on its seat should,

for any reason, the pressure in the air separating fuser 36 is threaded into a wall 38 provided in the base casting and the nozzle 31 is threaded" into a wall 39 also provided in the base casting.

Liquid is supplied from the air separating chamber under pressure. The pressure energy thereof is, converted in the jet into velocity energy. 'Ihe velocity of the jet or stream pass' ing across the space between the tip of Ithe nozzle and the entrance of the diifuser entrains air or liquid adjacent the jet stream and induces" a ow of air or liquid from around the nozzle body and creates a vacuum which draws the air or liquid through the passage 33 and into the dif- `fuser; In the diffuser the velocity energy is at least partially Ieconverted into pressure energy. The liquid or mix-ture of liquid then flows to a passage 4| provided in 'the base casting and through 'a passage 42 to the suction 43 of the centrifugal pump.

' 'The passage 42l is formed by a wall 44 Vsomewhat circularly shaped in section and a wall 46 which forms half of the centrifugal pump casing 4.1.v The other half of the centrifugal pump casing is formed by a member or wall 48 bolted or otherwise secured to the wall 4-6. A volute passage or passages 49 are formed in the wall 4-8 into which' liquid is discharged by the impeller The pump impeller has the eye or suction inlet opening .43 and isv threaded or pressed on the end of a shaft-52 by which it is rotated.

An annular seat 53 is Provided on the wall 46 `4 or inner surface of the pump casing against which is adaptedto seat an annular sealing ring 54 which is substantially L-shaped in section. A spring 56 suitably conned against rotation urges the sealing ring 54 into engagement with the seat so Ias to prevent excessive now of liquid from the pump casing to the suction of the impeller. -The pump casing has at least two discharge openings, one 0f which 58 l(Fig. '2) is shown, the function and construction ofwhich are reserved as the subject matter of a separate application. It is sucient 4to state that the centrifugal -pump is self-priming and has the ability to handle liquid or a mixture of liquid "15.

and air.

The liquid or mixture of liquid and air discharged into the air separating chamber is appreciably slowed down in velocity due to the relatively large volume of the separating chamber. The air is separated out from the liquid and rises to the top of the chamber. Liquid for feeding the jet pump is supplied from the air separating chamber, as indicated by the arrow 59 (Fig. 1), through an opening 6| provided in the base casting whi-ch connects with the air separating chamber, as shown most clearly in Fig. 6. The liquid owing to the jet pump is substantially air free, due to the fact that opening l6| is at the bottom of the air separating chamber to'which the heavier liquid gravitates while the lighter air tends to separate from the liquid and rise to the top of the chamber.

Extending upward in the air separating chamber I3 is a liquid level pipe or discharge outlet 62 which is connected, as shown in Fig. 6, to a passage 63 formed in thebase casting. Threaded into the base casting is a discharge pipe 64 which carries the liquid to the point of use. lThe liquid level pipe 62 has a gooseneck 66 at its upper end, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3. The purpose of the gooseneck is to draw the liquid from the air separating chamber at a point well below the normal liquid level and below the discharge openings from the pump casing. At the lower end of the gooseneckfor point of entrance of the liquid into the liquid level pipe, the liquid is relatively quiescent and air at this point has substantially entirely separated from the liquid. At the top of the liquid level pipe 62 is a pair of openings 61 (Fig. 1) the purpose vof which will later ap. pear. l

At the top of the lchamber is an opening (Fig. 3) through which a priming pipe 66 is extended. The priming pipe is welded to the margins of theopening to provide an airtight joint at 69 and extends downward into the chamber preferably to a point somewhat above the top 0f the liquid level pipe. A removable plug 1| is threaded into the top of the priming pipe and forms an airtight. joint lwith the annular end of the pipe when in seated position.

When the system to be initially primed the plug is removed and liquid poured into the prim ing pipe until the liquid in the system reaches approximately the level indicated at 12, or per-1. haps slightly higher.' It will be appreciated that when initially primed to the ievei indicated at 12 the pressurev in the chamber will be substanA tially that of atmosphere. In practicethe:` sys-1 tem would be primed so that the llquidrises to the top of thepriming pipe, then the air at the top of the air separating chamber will be slightly compressed and the liquid level will lie slightly above that indicated at 12.

The system, as ,will be presently described, is,

- uid level pipe.

l ananas provided with a pressure control which starts and stops v'the motor when the pressure within the air separating chamber reaches predetermined upper and lower limits. Moreover, the system is provided with means for supplying the air separating chamber with air. In the preferred form of the invention the pump supplies the system with a predetermined volume of air each time the pump is stopped. Should the volume of air supplied be somewhat-in excess of that required, the liquid level in the air separating chamber, when the pressure therein is at or near the pressure control cut-in point, will be perhaps at the line indicated by the level at 12. The continued supply of excess air to the. chamber will cause the level to gradually lower so that when the pressure in the chamber is low, the openings 61 may be uncovered. This permits excessive air to escape from the system with the liquid through the openings 61.

The openings 61 thus prevent an excessive amount of air from accumulating in the system, the excess air readily passing through the openings, mixing with the liquid, and passing outthe discharge pipe. At the same time the liquid is trapped in the system to maintain the system 'primed since it can not leak past the check valve .26 (Fig. 1) and can not drain out the discharge pipe below the level 18er effective top of theliq- As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, I have provided novel means for supplying the air separating chamber with air. This in the preferred form of the invention comprises a pump, generally indicated by the numeral 16. The pump 16 comprises a cylinder 11 and a cylinder 18 which may, if desired, be cast integral with the wall 44 which forms part of the entrance channel 42 of the eye of the impeller. A cap 19 provides a channel 8l communicating with the suction passage 42 which is extended upward, as indicated at 82, above the eye of the impeller.

A piston 88 is mounted in the cylinder 11 and comprises a cup leather 83 retained in position by backing plates 8l and 86. Any suitable -means for assembling the piston on a piston rod 81 may be provided. The arrangement may be similar to that shown in the drawings. The end of the piston rod is threaded to receive the parts and the cup leather is pressed between a nut 88 and the backing plate 86.

The piston rod 81 at its lower end is provided with a piston 90 and is threaded to receive an element 89 into which is threaded a nut 9i. Between the elements 89'and 9| a cup leather 92 is pressed. The cup leather on its upper surface 'is not confined adjacent its outer periphery so that air may leak in an upward direction past the A spring 96 is coniined fitted with a check valve of any suitable type adapted to admit air from the atmosphere when a vacuum exists in the cylinder. The effective volume of the cylinder 18 is calculated so that its` actuation each time the pump stops supplies air to the system somewhat in excess of that fre'- quired. The excess air escapes from the system lowered pressure is created at the eye of the impeller which is eective through the passages 82 and 8| to create a vacuumor lowered pressure at the top of the piston 8l.

The lower side of the piston 88 is exposed to thev pressure existent within the air separating chamber, since the bottom of the cylinder 11 is open thereto. Since this pressure is substantially fthat of the discharge of the centrifugal pump, a

diierential in pressure exists across the piston when the centrifugal pump is in operation corresponding to the differential in pressure across the impeller. This differential in pressure moves the piston to an upward position against the action of the spring 96 or to the position `shown in Fig. 4.-

The upward movement of the piston 88 carries with it the piston 98 which creates a vacuum in the cylinder 18 and opens the check valve 91 to draw air from the atmosphere'into the cylinder. The parts will remain in'this position as long as the pump is opeating. However, as soon as the pressure in the air separating chamber builds up to the cut-out point, the pump is stoppedl and the pressure is equalized throughout the system back to the check-valve 26. That is, when the pump is stopped, liquid is free to flow back through the pump casing, past the imtween the lower end of the cylinder 18 and the air separating chamber. However, the arrangement shown is preferable. An opening between the-cylinder 18 and the air separating chamber would have to be small i'n diameter so that when upward movement of the Apiston 90 oecurs, air would pass through the check valve 91 into the cylinder 18 before the liquid could flow into the cylinder from the air separating chamber.

With the arrangement shown, the cup leather 92 is retained tight against the side walls of the cylinder 18 bythe pressure of liquid in the air separating chamber until the air pressure in the cylinder 18 issuilicient to allow escape or ow-of air past the cup leather 92 into the air separating chamber. This air then bubbles up through the liquid to the air space at the top of the chamber.

One particular advantage of the means shown for supplying air to the system is that the pistons, together with their cup leathers, are located in the air separating chamber. leathers are always immersed in liquid which prevents them from drying out and losing their effectiveness. Moreover, thev backing plate 86 is provided with an annular -edge 98 which seats against an annular surface 99 provided on the cover plate 19. This, together with the fact that the pressure within the air separating chamber, seals the cup leather 83 against the side walls of the cylinder 11, prevents leakage of liquid from the air separating chamber past the piston to the suction ofthe centrifugal pump when the pump is operating. Of particular advantage is the fact that air is supplied to the system without passing through the centrifugal pump.

Thus the cup stead of the usualstufllng box. This seal may be of any suitable type and comprises a spring III and a sealing element |92 which seals against an element |93 fixed with respect to the pump casing. Any suitable typeof bearing assembly may be provided for the shaft B2. In the drawings, I have shown a sleeve bearing |94 which is adapted to support the shaft and take the thrust load imposed by the impeller. The particular bearing employed constitutes no part of my present invention.

The shaft 52 extends through an opening provided in the wall of the air separating chamber in which opening there is welded, as indicated in the drawings, an annular plate |94 which has a flange |01. An annular ring |99 is bolted to the flange |01, as indicated at |39, and a flexible diaphragm |I| is conned between these parts, as. shown in the drawings. The bearing housing I I2 extendsoutward through the opening in the air separating chamber to provide an annular surface H3 against which the flexible diaphragm is placed. An annular ring II4 is bolted, as indicated at IIS, to the end of the bearing housing and the flexible diaphragm is confined between these parts.

The above arrangement allows for a slight misalignment of the motor shaft with respect to the pump shaft 52, and at the same time leakage of liquid is prevented from the air separating chamber. Moreover, while a slight misalignment is permitted, because of the support afforded by the end of the bearing housing, the flange and the annular rings IIII and ||4, the diaphragm is capable of withstanding pressures substantially'above those which may be vencountered in the air separating chamber.

for example, thirty-two pounds or any other desired value. Y A

In the drawings I have shown a special type of pressure switch (electrical connections to the motor not shown) which is not the subject of art to which this invention applies, the parlarly described in this application.

The shaft of the motor |.2 is connected to the pump shaft 52 by means of a flexible coupling, generally indicated by the numeral II'I, which comprises a flexible tube |I9 having at the motor end an annular sleeve ||9 internally of the tube and an annular band |2| externally thereof. One or more set screws |20 are provided which extend through the annular band, the flexible tube and the sleeve ||9 and engage the shaft so that the flexible tube is driven when the motor shaft is rotated.

The other end of the flexible tube is provided with an annular sleeve |23 and an annular band |22 which by suitable screws are connected together to clamp the flexible tube between them. The annular sleeve |23 is connected to the pump shaft 52 by means of a Woodruff key |24. When it is desired to disconnect the parts, the motor l2 may be loosened from its support and the motor, together with the flexible coupling, shifted to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, so as to disengage the driving connection between the shafts. A re` movable shield |29 substantially encloses the coupling.

The pressure in the system is controlled between upper and lower limits by means of a pressure switch, generally indicated by the numeral. |21, which is subjected to the discharge pressure or the pressure within the air separating cham ber through a pipe connection |28.

As shown in Fig. 3 the connection |28 is made into the base adjacent the discharge pipe 94. The pressure switch may be of conventional design adapted to start the motor when the pres sure in the air separating chamber drops to a predetermined value, for example, twenty pounds, and stop the motor again when the pressure in the air separating chamber reaches a value of,

centrifugal pump. v

ticular means for controlling the starting andstopping of the motor need not be more particu- One of the major advantages of the pumping system of my invention is that it may be readilyV converted from a shallow well system to a deep well system. In Figs. 'l and 8 I have illustrated now how the shallow well system previously described may be converted to a deep well system. The passage 4| has an opening |29 which is closed by a plug |3| when the system is employed as a shallow well unit.

When the system is converted to deep well operation, the plug |3| is removed and the suction pipeV |32, extending into the well, is connected into the opening |29, as indicated in Figs. 'l and 8. This arrangement brings the end of the suction pipe close to the suction of the centrifugal pump impeller so that flow of liquid from the well is substantially direct thereto. The jet pump IG is removed and a plug |33 substituted in the opening 39 for the diffuser 39. The opening 39 is left open so that ow from the air separating chamber passes through this opening. The cover plate 29 is removed and the check valve 2B taken out of the base casting. The cover plate is then restored to its position and a pressure pipe |34 connected to the base casting, as shown in Fig. 7.

The flow of liquid is then, as indicated by the arrows |36, down the pressure pipe to the jet pump located in the well. Since the arrangement of the pressure pipe, the jet pump and the suction pipe in the well, is Well known in the art to whichv this invention applies, these parts'are not shown. However, it will be understood that the tail pipe of the assembly is provided with the conventional foot or check valve. The general arrangement of a deep well pumping system is shown in my prior Patent No. 2,257,507 issued September 30, 19,41. With the parts of the system thus rearranged the system will operate as a conventional deep well pump without any change in the manner 'of connecting the discharge pipe from the system, the pressure control switch, or the air volume control or air pump previously described. Flow of liquid to the point of use is, as in the shallow well unit.'

shown in Fig. 7. The jet pump in the well and' the pressure pipe |34 are removed. Liquid is l then drawn through the suction pipe |32 into the impeller and discharged into the air separating chamber from whence it flows, in accordance with the demands of the system, out ofv the discharge pipe 94.

v The arrangement of parts shown in Fig. 6 may I also be employed as a straight centrifugal pump' by removing the nozzle and diuser and inserting a plug in the nozzle opening 39. The omning 33 is left open giving a straight flow 'of liquid from the suction pipe I1 to the suction of the The system may be operated without the conventional pneumatic storage tank. However, under certain conditions a pneumatic pressure tank of large capacity is required for storage. These conditions are for example, when the flow of water from the well or other source is insuiiicient and below the capacity of the pump and the intermittent peak requirements of the user, or when the electrical facilities available l limit the horsepowerl of the motor and hence the capacity of the pump which may be used.

In Fig. 9 I have shown the system arranged with a large pneumatic storage tank. The unit above described is connected by means of a pipe '|31 which extends to the pneumatic storage tank |38 at a point preferably near the bottom thereof. Liquid is drawn from'the storage tank as required through a pipe |39 which extends to the service lines.

One of the important features of the system of my invention is that the unit above described requires no modication to adapt it for use with' a pneumatic storage tank. The pressure switch may be retained on the air separating chamber, as shown, although if desired the pressure switch might be. connected to the pneumatic storage tank. Moreover, the air pump is retained as part of the unit and air is supplied to the pneumatic storage tank from the air separating chamber. That is, the air pump is designed to provide air at a rate slightly in excess of requirements. This 2. A pumping system'comprising, in combination, a pump casing, an impeller mounted in said casing. means for rotating said impeller, a` chamber in which said casing is mounted, `said casinghaving at least one opening through which said impeller discharges liquid into said chamber,

t'on, 'a pump, a pneumatic pressure chamber into which said pump discharges, pressure responsive means actuated by variations in pressure across vthe pump when operating and when stopped for air gradually accumulates in the air separating chamber and occasionally during the operation pressure in the air separating chamber dropsI to a low point. When this occurs, the openings 61 (Fig. 3) will be exposed so that air will pass from the air separating chamber to the pneumatic storage tank. Thus air for the pneumatic storage tank is supplied from' the air separating chamber.

It will be noted that the centrifugal pump assembly is supported independently ofv the air separating chamber although both are supported by the base casting. A gasket |'4| is interposed between the bottom of the pump casing, the wall M and the top of the base casting. A gasket |42 is interposed between the flange formed on the bottom of the air separating chamber and the top of the base casting. Theair separating chamber is held in position by studs |43 and lugs NL With this arrangement access to thepump may be readily obtained by renewal of the studs |43, the guard |26 and bolts |09 and IIB. The motor is shifted to the right as viewed in Fig. 1, after which the air separating chamber may be shifted tothe right so that the inner edge of the flange |06 clears the end of the bearing housing II'2. The air separating chamber may then be removed and access gained to the pumping unit.

While I have shown and described the preferred form' ofA my invention, it will be appreciated that various changes and modications may be made, particularly in the form and relation of parts, without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pump casing, an impeller mounted in said casing, means for rotating said impeller, a Vcham'- ber in which said casing is mounted, said "casing having at least one opening throughy which said I impeller discharges liquid into said chamber, and

means for supplying air tosaid chamber without passing through said pump.

supplying air to said chamber, and means within the chamber for maintaining the quantity of air in the chamber below a predetermined maximum.

5. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pump casing, an impeller mounted in said casing, a chamber in which said casing is mounted, said casing having at least one opening through which said impeller discharges liquid' into said chamber, a base upon which said chamber rests, a jet pump mounted in said base, the base having passages connecting the jet pump with the source of supply, the chamber and the suction of the impeller.

6. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pump casing', an impeller mounted in said casing, a chamber in which said casing is mounted, said casing having at least one opening through which said impeller discharges liquid into said chamber, a base upon which said chamber rests, a jet pump mounted in said base, the

base having passages connecting the jet pump with the source of supply, the chamber and the suction of the impeller, and means for maintaining a supply of air in said chamber.

7. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pneumatic pressure chamber, a pump having an impeller for supplying liquid to` said chamber, a piston actuated by variations in pressure across the impeller, and means including a valved connection to atmosphere actuated by ,said piston for supplying air to said chamber.

8. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pneumatic pressure chamber, a pump having an impellel for supplying liquid to said chamber, a piston actuated by variations in'pressure across the impeller, means including a valved connection to atmosphere actuated by said piston for supplying air to'said' chamber, said liquid pump and piston being located Within and enclosed by said chamber.

9. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pressure pump having a rotatable impeller, an air separating chamber into which said pressure pump discharges, means for supplying air to said air separating chamber,lmeans for normally maintaining a volume of air in said air separating chamber at the top thereof under pressure, a pneumatic pressure tank connected to said air separating chamber, and means for supplying liquid and air to said pneumatic pressure tank from said air separating chamber.

10. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pressure pump having a rotatable impelair to said airseparating chamber without passing through said pressure pump, means for normally maintaining a supply of air in said air separating chamber under pressure, a pneumatic pressure tank connected to said air separating chamber, and means for supplying liquid and air to said pneumatic lpressure tank from said air separating chamber.

11. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pressure pump having a rotatable impeller, an air separating chamber by which said pressure pump is enclosed into whichsaid pressure pump discharges, means for supplying air to said air separating chamber. means ior normally maintaining a volume of air in said air separating chamber at the top thereof under pressure, a pneumatic pressure tank connected to said air separating chamber, and means for supplying liquid and air to said pneumatic pressure tank from said air separating chamber.

12. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pump casing having a rotatable impeller mounted therein, a chamber by which the pump casingis enclosed and into which liquid is discharged froni said casing by the impeller, means for normally maintaining a supply of air and liquid under pressure in said chamber, and means for insuring the retention oi a suiiicient volume of liquid in said chamber to maintain the pump llooded under all normal conditions of operation. 13. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pump casing having a rotatable impeller mounted therein, a chamber by which the pump casing is enclosed and into which liquid is. discharged irom said casing by the impeller, means for normally maintaining a supply of air and liquid under pressure in said chamber, and means for insuring'the retention oi' a suilicient volume of liquid in said chamber 4to maintain the pump nooded under all normal conditions of operation, said means including a discharge connection for said chamber, the eilective outlet of which is above the axis of rotation of the impeller.

14. A pumping system comprising, in combinal2 the pump when operating and 'when stopped for supplying air to said chamber, and means for maintaining the quantity oi.' air in the chamber below a predetermined maximum.

17. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pump casing, an impeller mounted in said casing, means including a prime mover for rotating said impeller, a chamber in which said.

casing is mounted, said casing having at least one opening through which said impeller dism charges liquid into said chamber, means for starting and stopping the prime mover between upper and lower pressure limits to denne a cycle of pump operation, an air supplier for the chamtion, a pump casing having -a rotatable impeller mounted therein, a chamber by which the pump casing is enclosed and into which liquid is discharged from said casinghy the impeller, means for initially priming said chamber to a predetermined level after which compression oi.' air takes place above said level, means for normally maintaining a supply of air and liquid under pressure in said chamber, and means for insuring the retention of a sumcient volume of liquid in said chamber to maintain the pump flooded under.

all normal conditions of operation.

15. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pump casing, an impeller mounted in said casing, means including a prime mover for rotating said impeller, a chamber in which said casing is mounted, said casing having at least one opening throughwhich said impeller discharges liquid into said chamber, means for starting and stopping the prime mover between upper and lower pressure limits to denne a cycle of pump operation, an air supplier for the chamber, and means for actuating the air supplier at Y least onceI during each cycle of operation of the pump.

16. A pumping System comprising, in combination. a pump, a pneumatic pressure chamber into which said pump discharges. pressure responsive means actuatedby variations in pressure across 75 tion,

ber, and means for actuating the air supplier at least once .during each cycle of operation of the pump, said air supplier being arranged so asto supply air to the chamber without passing through said pump.

18. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pump casing, an impeller mounted in said casing, means including a prime mover for rotating said impeller, a chamber in which said casing is mounted, said casing having at least one opening through which said impeller discharges liquid into said chamber, means for starting and stopping the prime mover between upper and lower pressure limits todenne a cycle of pump operation, an air supplier for the chamber, means for actuating the air supplier at least once during each cycle oir operation of. the pump, said air supplier being arranged so as to supply air to the chamber without passing through said pump, and means for maintaining a substantially constant quantity or air in said chamber.

19. A pumping system comprising. in combination, a pump casing, an impeller mounted in said casing, means including a prime mover for rotating said impeller, a chamber in which said casing is mounted, said casing having at least one opening through which said impeller discharges liquid into said chamber, a iet pump, connections for supplying liquid to said jet pump from said chamber and for discharging liquid from said iet pump to said impeller, means for starting and stopping the prime mover between upper and lower pressure limits to denne a cycle of pump operation. an air supplier for the chamber, and means yfor actuating the air supplier at least once during each cycle of operation of the pump, said air supplier being arranged so as to supply air to the chamber without passing through said impeller'or jet pump.

20. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pneumatic pressure chamber, a pump having an impeller i'or supplying liquid to said chamber, means for starting and stopping the pump to define a cycle of pump operation, an air supplier for said chamber, and means for actuating said air supplier in response to differences in pressure existent between the suction and discharge of said pump at times during each cycle of operation.

21. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pneumatic pressure chamber, a pump casing having an impeller for supplying liquid to said chamber, said casing being substantiallywholly enclosed by. said chamber, means for starting and stopping the pump to denne a cycle of pump operation, an airV supplier for said chamber, and means for actuating said air supplier in response to diierences in pressure existent between the suction and discharge oi.' said pump at times during each cycle of operation.

22. .A `pumping system comprising a pneumatic pressure chamber, a pump in combina-A 13 having an impeller for supplying liquid to said chamber, means for-starting and stopping the pump to define a cycle of pump operation, an air supplierfor said chamber, means for actuating said air supplier in response to differences in pressure existent between the suction and discharge of .said pump at times during each cycle of operation, and means for maintaining a quantity of air in said chamber.

23. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pneumatic pressure chamber, a pump`having Aan impeller for supplying liquid tofsaid chamber, means for starting and stopping the pump to define a cycle vof pump operation, an air supplier for supplying air to said chamber, said air supplier including a moveable element urged in the one direction by the pressure existent on ythe discharge side of the pump and urged in the opposite direction at least partly by mechanical pressure.

24. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pneumatic pressure chamber, a pump having an impeller for supplying liquid to said chamber, means for. starting and stopping the pump to define a cycle of pump operation, an air supplier for supplying air to said chamber withoutl passing through the pump and once during each cycle of operation of the pump, said air supplier including a moveable element urged in the one direction by the pressure existent on'the discharge side of the pump and urged in the opposite direction at least partly by mechanical pressure.

25. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pump casing having a rotatable impeller mounted therein, a chamber by which the pump casing is enclosed and into which liquid is discharged from said casing by the impeller, means for supplying air to said chamber, means for vretaining in the chamber adjacent the top thereof a volume of air under pressure while liquid is supplied to a point of use from the chamber, and means for retaining in the chamber at all times a sulcient quantity of liquid to maintain the pump casing sufiiciently full of liquid to insure priming' of the pump.

26. A pumping system comprising, in combil 14 quantltypf liquid to maintain the impeller pump casing suiiiciently full of liquid to insure priming of the system. 1

28. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pump casing having a rotatablel impeller mounted therein, a chamber by which the pump casing is enclosed. a Jet pump, said system having connections whereby the system is connected to a source of supply and liquid enters the nation, a pump. casing having a rotatable iml peller mounted therein, a chamber by which the pump casing is enclosed and into which liquid is discharged from said casing by the impeller, means for controlling the pressure within the chamber between upper and lower limits, means for supplying air to said chamber without passing through the pump, means for retaining in the chamber adjacent the top thereof a volume of air under pressure while liquid is supplied to a point of use from the chamber, and means for retaining in the chamber at all times a sufiicient quantity of liquid to maintain the pump casing suiciently full of liquid to insure priming of the pump.

27. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pump casing having a rotatable impeller mounted therein, a chamber by which the pump casing is enclosed, a jet pump, said system having connections Wherebythe system is connected to a source of supply and liquid enters the jet pump from said source, then passes to the impeller pump and then passes to the chamber with a portion of the liquid from the chamber returning to the jet pump for supplying energy thereto and the remainder flowing from the chamber to a point of use of the liquid, means for supplying airv to said chamber, means forv retaining in thechamber adjacent the top thereof a volume of air under pressure, and means for retaining in the chamber at all times a sufficient jet pump from said source, then passes to the impeller pump and then passes to the chamber with a portion'of the liquid from the chamber returning to the jet pump for supplying energy thereto and the remainder flowing from the chamber to a point of use of the liquid, means for controlling the pressure within the chamber between upper and lower limits, means for supplying air to said chamber without passing through the* impeller pump, and means for retaining in the chamber at all times a sufiicient quantity 'of liquid to maintain the impeller pump casing sulliciently full o! liquid to insure priming of the system.

29. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pump casing having a rotatable impeller mounted therein, a. chamber by which the pump casing is enclosed, a jet pump, said system having connections whereby the system is connected to a'. source of supply and liquid enters the jet pump from said source, then passes to the impeller pump and then passesto the chamber with a. portion of the liquid from the chambei returning to the jet pump for supplying energy thereto and the remainder flowing from the chamber to a point of use of the liquid, means for supplying air to said chamber without passing through the impeller pump or the jet pump, means for retaining in the chamber adjacent the top thereof a volume of air under pressure, and means for retaining in the chamber at all times a suicient quantity of liquid to maintain the impeller pump casing and the jet pump suillciently full of liquid to insure priming of the system.

30. In combination with a pump and storage tank therefor, an air charging means comprising a reciprocating pressure responsive element adapted for connection to the discharge and intake passages of said pump and motivated by the pressure differential generated by said pump when in operation, and a reciprocating air pump element connected to and motivated by said first element and having an air discharge passage a'dapted for connection to said tank.

31. An air charger for a pump and storage tank comprising, a body formed with relativelyf l high and low pressure chambers, a movable elecombination of a pump having intake and discharge passages developing therebetween a pressure diierential during operation of the pump; and an air charger comprising a body having relatively high and low pressure chambers, means for connecting said chambers to said pump passages, a movable element mounted`between said chambers and displaced by the pres- 75 sure dicerential therein, an air chamber in said body. a volumetric displacement member in said air chamber, means connecting said member and element, and air intake and discharge means connected to said air chamber, said air discharge means being connected to said pump discharge passage.

33. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pneumatic pressure chamber, a pump having an impeller for supplying liquid to said chamber and defining a suction side of the system and a pressure side of the system. means for starting and stopping the', pump to deilne a cycle o! pump operation, motor means having opposite sides, one of which is exposed to the suction side of the system' and the other of which is exposed to the pressure side o! the system. said motor means being moved in one direction by the differential in pressure between the suction and pres sure sides when the pump is operating, means for moving the motor meansin the opposite direction when the pump is at rest. a movable e1e ment connected to and actuated by said motormeans, said movable element having opposite sides one of which is exposed to said pressure sideoi the system, said movable element having a smaller area of exposure to vthe pressure side of the system than said motor means and means on the other side of said movable elementsaid movable elenent for drawing'in atmospheric air and discharging 1t into said pneumatic pres-l sure chamber. x

35. A pumping system comprising, in combination, a pneumatic pressure chamber, a pump hav. ing an impeller for supplying liquid to said chamber and deiining a suction side of the system and Ye. pressure side of the system. a jet pump, con

the motor' means in the opposite direction whenl for drawing in atmospheric air and discharging it into said vpneumatic pressure chamber.

34. A pumping system comprising, in combina' tion, a pneumatic pressure chamber, a pump having an impeller for supplying 'liquid to said chamber and ldefining a suction side of l the sys-4 i l tem and a pressure side of the system, means for starting and stopping the pump to`dene acycle of pump operation, motor means having oppo-4 site sides, means for connecting one of said sides to a part of the system which' when the pump is operating is always at a pressure'above atmospheric pressure and means forconnecting the other of said-sides to 'a partof the system which when the pump is 'operating/is always at 'a pressure less than the pressure to which the first side is exposed, said motor means being moved in one direction by said 'differential in pressure when the pump is operating,lmeans for moving the motor means in thev opposite direction when the pump is at rest, a movable element connected to and actuated by said motor means, said movable element havingopposite sides one of which is exposed .to said pressure side of the system, said movable element having a smaller area o! exposure to the pressure side o! the system than said motor means and means on the other side of pneumatic pressure chamber.

the impeller pump is at rest, a movable element connected to and actuated by said motor means said movable element having opposite sides oneof which is exposed to said pressure side of the system, said movable element having a smaller area of exposure to the pressure side of the system than vsaid motor means and means on the otherside of said movable element for drawing in atmospheric air and discharging it `into said JOHN MANN. REFERENCES CITED The followingl references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 909,574 Iford ---c Jan. 12, 1909 1,253,687 Hicks Jan 15, 1918 1,887,609 'v Weymouth Nov. 15, 1,932

" 1,938,956 l Fee Dec. 12, 1933 1,941,766 Them Jan. 2, 1934 2,032,291 L um Feb. 25, 1936 2,184,349 .Labour f1.1 Dec. 26, 1939,

"2,220,209 Carpenter Nov. 5, 1940 2,257,507v j Mann ..-'Sept. 30,' 1941 2,274,987l Lung -1 Mar. 3, 1942 2,319,509", Lung May 18, 1943 2,335,109 ,onery v Nov. 23, 1943,

j FOREIGN PATENTS Number' Country i Date .A

'u 494,877 Germany 1930 

